FUIN<;il.MI).K — TIIK KINCIIKS. HI 



May, ami Ik'^^ius to sit upon the v<^<zfi al>o«it lliu tir>t ot .lunc. It is sli;4htly 

 gn'^'arious just as it is |ut'iMrin^ tu leave, la.t at all otlirr times is to he met 

 with only in solitary pairs. 



Thedrnuud jjn]»in is in inanv ros|)octs one of the most stron^^'ly character- 

 ized of our Noith Amerieun hinls, exhibiting peculiarities in which all the 

 members of this genus shart; to a very lar;4e degree. Tlu*y frecpient close and 

 sheltered thickets, wln*re they spend a large proportion of their time on the 

 ground among the fallen leaves, scratching and searching for worms, lurvje, 

 and insects. Though generally resi<lent in retipnl lucidities, it is far frnm 

 being a shy or timid bird. I have known it to .show itsidf in a front yard, 

 immediately under the win<lows of a dwelling and near the main street of 

 the village, where for hours 1 witne.ssed its diligei't labors in search of food. 

 The spot was very shady, and unfreipiented during the greater part of the 

 day. It was not disturlied when the niend>ers of the family i)assed in or out. 



The call-note of this bird is very ix^'culiar, and is variously interpreted in 

 different localitie.s. It has always ap])eared to me that the (Jeorgian ^o-zre^ 

 was at least as near to its real notes as tow-hte. Its song consists of a few 

 simple notes, which very few realize are those of this bird. In singing, the 

 male is usually to be .seen on the top of some low tree. These n(jtes are 

 uttered in a loud voice, and are not unmusical. Wilson savs its song resem- 

 bles that of the Yellow-Hammer of Euro])e, but is more varied and mellow. 

 Nuttall speaks of its notes as simple, guttural, and monotonous, and of its 

 voice as clear and .sonorous. The song, which he si)eaks of as cpuiint and 

 somewhat pensive, he descril>es as sounding like f's/uf-intn-fe-fe-fP-fe-t^. 



Wilson .savs this bird is known in Pennsvlvania as the " Swami) llobin." 

 If so, tl'is is a mi.snomer. In \ew England it has no predilection Inr low 

 or moist ground, and I have never found it in such situations. Its favorite 

 haunts are dry uj^lands, near the edges of woods, or high tracts covered with 

 a low brushwood, selecting for nesting-places the outer skirts of a wood, 

 especially one of a southern aspect. The nest is sunk in a depression in 

 the ground, the upper edges being usually just level w ith the ground. It is 

 largely comjwsed of dry leaves and coarse stems as a base, within which is 

 built a firmer nest of dry bents well arranged, usually with no other lining. 

 It is generally partially concealed by leaves or a tuft of gmss, and is not 

 easily discovered unless the female is seen about it. 



Dr. Coues says these Buntings are chiefly spring and autumnal visitants 

 near Washington, only a few breeding. They are very abundant from April 

 25 to Mav 10, and from the first to the third week of October, and are 

 partially gregarious. Their migrations are made by day, and are usually in 

 small companies in the fall, but singly in the spring. Wilson found them in 

 the middle districts of Virginia, and from thence south to Florida, during 

 the months of January, February, and March. Their usual food is obtained 

 among the dry leaves, though they also feed on hard seeds and giavel. They 

 are not known to commit any depredations upon harvests. They may be 



